Conveying, packaging, and slitting machine



May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 l3Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INV ENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER 0. SRAMEK J w IM @Ma;

May 20, 1958 Filed Aug. 9, 1954 H.E.ENGLE$ON ETAL CONVEYING, PACKAGINGAND SLITTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESONELMER D. SRAMEK May 20 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ET AL couvannc, PACKAGING ANDsumus MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1954 FIG?) R E m fl Y 8 mm. 4 m T E O O D N w 4 .b. N E Ri w 8 T 9 C H 4 mA m m RI c0 ow l mm 6 AE 4 Y R "A EN EL DM 5 STARTER BOX CONTACTS @4 M, Mf -4 ATT'YS my m E 0 EmG M D Du WE RM A L 5 HE G F 6 3 l I I 1 bwm \M w 2m Ms m m y a 4 0 3May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON El'AL 2,835,087

. CONVEYING, PACKAGING A ND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 13Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS'.

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER' D. SRAMEK May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING. MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 13Sheets-Sheet 5 CONTACT POIYNTS m couvsncan MOTOR STARTER BOX no v. socvcu-z 72 4 RELAY CONTACTS SOLENOID {NORMALLY CLOSED 59 |oo t\k+e mm\m9o POTENTIOMETER RELAY CONTACTS uomuunr OPEN as g 0 5 E O necnnsa a9 88|---7d. 4 INVENTORS: RELAY HARRY E. ENGLESON COIL ELMER D. SRAMEK FAc'rs Fl G. 8 Y lggglgALLY B ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESQN ETAL2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS:HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BYZ z May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL2,835,037

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug 9, 1954 15Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. IO

INVENTORS:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YS May 20, 1958 F CONVEYING,PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9. 1954 H. E. ENGLESON ETA].2,835,087

13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORSI HARRY E. ENGLESON .ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YSMay 20; 1958 H.- E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,

CONVEYING, PACKAGING .YAND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 l3Sheets-Shegt 1O I24 I35 I26 H EQL '57 I v INVENTORSI:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESONETAL 2,835,037

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug.9, 1954 FIG. l5

K WE r. T m T VGA A m ES. 1 D R W 2 R AL I HE w Y. B

May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ET AL 2,835,087 CONVEYING, PACKAGING ANDSLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 1s Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORSQ:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BY M Mfg: W ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E.ENGLESON EIAL 7 CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug 9,1954, 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 FIG.|9

IN V EN TORS 2 HARRY E.ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BY Mr/ oZ'.

ATT'YS United States Patent CONVEYING, PACKAGING, AND SLITTING MACHINEHarry E. Engleson, Chicago, and Elmer Daniel Sramelr, Cicero,Ill.,.assignors to F. B. Redingtou Co, Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofDelaware Application August 9, 1954, Serial No. 448,607

30 Claims. (Cl. 53-63) This invention relates to mechanism for conveyingarticles in a predetermined sequence to predetermined positions, topackage the articles in containers and deliver the filled containers todischarge position, all in continuous operations and in predeterminedsequences.

The machine of the present invention consists in mechanism fordelivering articles, such as small metal containers normally referred toas tins, the tins being delivered from tin packaging machines, whichlatter machines are normally referred to as tin packers. Tins aredelivered by means of conveyers to respective channels where they areconveyed by a main line-conveyer to a converger conveyer, where the tinsare shifted at right angles from the main line-conveyer. The tins alongthe main line-conveyer are intermittently arrested or clamped by certainclamping mechanism, the operation of which is controlled by certaindetectors. A pneumatic delay mechanism permits a plurality of tins fromeach line or channel to be first clamped, and then released at theproper time interval for delivery to the converger conveyer. Theconverger conveyer delivers the tins in rows to a cartoning machine. Thecartoning machine comprises an intermittently operated conveyer in theform of interconnected buckets for receiving cartons into which aplurality of tins are to be received or packaged. The tins are deliveredalong a conveyer and are periodically clamped to permit a certain numberof articles or tins to be inserted in the carton from the same side andat different levels. The tins are clamped at predetermined intervals soas to hold back the line of tins during the insertion operation of tinswithin a carton, the carton having its side and end flaps arranged so asto permit the article fillers to be inserted easily and properly intoengagement with the articles and to push the articles into thecontainer. After the predetermined number of articles, arranged intiers, are inserted in a proper carton, the fiaps are glued and foldedand then put through a glue drier and pressing mechanism for deliveryonto a conveyer to have the cartons packed into a box or otherreceptacle. Means are provided, by means of certain escapementmechanism, to prevent the piling up of articles should there be any jamoccurring during the cartoning operation. Also, means are provided tocause continuous operation of the lines of tins being fed to theconverger conveyer, but to hold back a certain number of tins when thereare an insufficient number of tins within a line, as determined by thedetectors. Filled cartons are arranged to proper conveying position anddischarge position, being subjected to a slitting operation prior tofinal discharge.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of new andnovel mechanism for causing tins to feed properly to certainpredetermined positions and inserting a predetermined number of tins atdifferent levels into cartons.

Another important object of the invention consists in the provision ofmeans for periodically clamping lines 2,835,@? Patented May 20, 1958 orrows of tins and periodically releasing such tins to a conveyerconverger.

Another object consists in the arrangement of a pneumatic delay systemcooperating with detector mechanism to intermittently clamp articles andthen release the articles after a certain time delay so long as thereare articles in line being fed, and which causes the articles to beclamped indefinitely when there are an insuflicient number of tins in aline.

Another important object resides in the provision of a convergerconveyer for delivering released tins in two lines for subsequentconveying to a predetermined position with respect to a bucket conveyer,and then clamping certain tins while other tins are being insertedsimultaneously into a plurality of cartons.

A further object of the invention resides in new and improved dryingmeans for exerting a pressure along the glue folds of a carton after thearticles are fed into the carton and then delivering the filled cartonsby new and novel conveying means to a predetermined position.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of newand novel means for delivering filled cartons to a predetermineddelivery position and to prevent operation of certain pushing mechanismshould a carton be out of place, canted, or not in the correct position,so as to prevent jamming or damaging of a filled carton.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of newand novel filler rods '01" plungers to cause automatic cessation ofcertain mechanism when a predetermined excessive load is applied to theplungers.

Still another object consists in the provision of a new arrangement ofelectrical control circuits for causing operation of certain parts ofthe machine to cease functioning when a certain device or part thereofis stopped by means of a push button control, or for automaticallystopping the operation of certain mechanism because of jamming or othermisfunction of the tins being conveyed to position for cartoningpurposes.

Another object consists in the method of packaging articles whichconsists in feeding articles in a plurality of rows or lines, andinserting articles in cartons in rows and on top of each other.

Another object consists in the conveying of filled packages alongpredetermined paths, providing certain detector mechanism to control thepositioning of filled cartons which move past a slitter arrangement, andproviding certain pusher means to move the cartons to a dischargeconveyer belt.

A still further and more specific object of the invention consists inthe provision of new and novel means for inserting twelve tins in acarton in three layers, there being four tins in each layer. 7

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout theprogress of the specification which follows.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment ofthe invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail top plan view somewhat diagrammatic or schematic innature and showing the various parts of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of certain mechanism, including thedetector mechanism, the converger mechanism, and tin clamping mechanismfor clamping tins prior to release to the converger conveyer;

Fig. 3 is an electric diagram disclosing the operation of certain of theelements shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, showing certainof the mechanism, and the manner in which the tin stop is operated;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, showing some ofthe clampv control mechanism adapted to be operated by a solenoid;

Fig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view showing the convergerconveyer and certain mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the manner in which the tinsare conveyed from the main lineconveyer through the converger conveyer,and the means for operating the escapement chute;

Fig. 8 is an electrical diagram of the means for controlling theoperation of the escapement chute and the cartoner;

Fig. 9 is a detail top plan view showing part of the cartoner and thehold-down members and the tin clamps;

Fig. 10 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the line 10-10 ofFig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig.9;

Fig. 12 is a detail transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 11,showing the manner in which the filler members are operated;

Fig. 13 is a detail end elevational view looking in the direction of thearrows 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail top plan view of the carton drier mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view looking in the direction of thearrows 1515 of Fig. 1, and showing the end of the drier, the chutetherefrom, and certain conveying mechanism with controls therefor;

Fig. 16 is a detail front elevational view of the structure disclosed inFig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of a carton in collapsed position;

Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view of the carton during the fillingposition; and

Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of the completed filled carton.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustratingthe present invention comprises a plurality of filling machines, termedfin packers for packaging or packing a plurality of tablets in smallflat metal boxes, referred to herein, and known in the art, as tins.These tins may be of any convenient or desired shape or size, and eachreceives a certain predetermined number of tablets. The type and size oftins employed in the present embodiment are relatively small andshallow, and are designed to receive a dozen tablets, the tins beingrelatively rectangular in shape with a closed top which is hinged alongone side. Five tin packers, or filling machines, are specificallydisclosed, being numbered 1 to 5, inclusive, Fig. l. A greater or lessernumber of tin filling machines may be used, depending upon therequirements and the production to be handled.

Each tin packer delivers tins, in a row, to a separate delivery formovement to a main line-conveyer. Tins from the tin packers 1 to 5, Fig.l, are discharged onto their separate deliveries 6 to 10, respectively,each delivery having side guides. The tins from each delivery 6 to 10are received onto a main line-conveyer 11 which may be in the form of anendless relatively wide belt 12. Guide strips 13, arranged over the belt12, divide the belt or conveyer 12 into separate guideways or channels14 to 18 which are angularly disposed relative to the deliveries 6 to10, whereby rows of tins are moved in rows along the channels 14 to 18,respectively, Fig. l. Tins from the packers 1 to 5, inclusive,therefore, are delivered to the belt 12 in rows and are conveyed alongthe channels between the guides 13, in continuous moving rows fordelivery, gathering, packaging and conveying purposes. Five tin packersor filling machines for the five channels are specifically shown, butmore or less machines and channels may be employed, depending on thecircumstances and upon the conditions required. There is preferably oneor more additional channels provided to '4 permit extra tins to be fedby hand, one such extra channel 19 being shown in Fig. 1.

Tins 20, which are filled by the previously mentioned tin packers 1 to5, are fed by the conveyer 11 (belt .12) along a predetermined path,first passing under detectors 21, there being one detector for eachchannel. There are five machines, 1 to 5, five delivery channels, 6 to10, for the five rows of tins 20, and five detectors 21. Thus, there isone detector for each channel or row of tins. An extra detector 21 isprovided also for the channel or row 19. As the tins for each row areconveyed in the same manner, and each detector 21 operates in the samemanner as the others, only the manner of feed, and the manner ofoperation of one detector for one row, will be described.

Tins 20 are delivered from a tin packer and supported on the belt 12,Figs. 1 and 2, moving from right to left, Fig. 2, where they are adaptedto engage an operated stops 22. Mechanical spring clamps, designatedgenerally by the number 23, close to clamp a third tin 20 as indicatedat C, Fig. 2, the first tins 20 beingdesignated as A and B,respectively. The stop 22 operates to release tins A and B to the left,Fig. 2, a short distance, thus permitting a conveyer converger lug 24,on a converger conveyer 25, to move two tins to the left onto aconverger delivery belt.

A tin clamp lever 26, supporting each of the clamps 23, is freelymounted on a cam shaft 27, Fig. 2, which is rotatively mounted inbearings in a part of the machine, or machine framework, from a primemover (such as a motor, not shown) but which also drives the conveyer 11(belt 12). Each clamp lever 26 carries a clamp 23, each of which has twospring plates 28 and 29. The left hand spring plate 28 clamps tin C, andthe right hand spring plate 29 clamps two tins 20 designated as D and E,Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The clamp lever 26 is held up in clamp position by aspring 30 which has one end fastened to a tail piece 31 on the freelymounted lever 26, and its other end secured to a stationary part of themachine frame.

A cam lever 32, Fig. 2, is fixed to the shaft 27, which gives the shaft27 its oscillating motion. A cam roller 33, on the lever 32, engages acam 34 fixed on a rotating shaft 35 which is journaled in hearings inthe machine frame. Rotation of the shaft 35, therefore, impartsoscillatory motion to the shaft 27 by the cam lever 32.

A clamp operator lever 36, Fig. 2, is also pinned to the shaft 27 and isalso oscillated thereby. A clamp operator plate 37 is fastened to theleft hand side of the clamp lever 26. Between the clamp lever 26 and theplate 37 there is a clamp engaging block 38, which is held in downposition by a link 39 operated by a solenoid 40. A spring 41, betweenthe clamp lever 26 and the upper end of the link 39, holds the clampengaging block 38 above the clamp operator lever 36 when the solenoid 40is de-energized. The clamp operator lever 36 operates the clamp lever 26down to unclamp tins. Tins 20 (C, D and E) are clamped while a oonvergerlugs 24 moves tins A and B to the right; and tins are unclamped topermit tins to feed up against the operated stop 22.

The operated stop 22, Fig. 4, comprises a lever arm 42 having a camroller 43. The cam roller 43 engages a cam 44 which is fixed to therotary shaft 35. The operated stop22, therefore, operates in propertimed synchronous relation with the tin clamps 28 and 29. The clampingoperation of the clamp lever 26, and the spring clamps 28 and 29, isnormally upward, being pulled in that direction by the spring 30,whereby the tins are clamped between the clamps 28 and 29 and top guides45, 45, Figs. 2 and 5.

When there is a supply of tins available, a detector 21 will be held upby the tins 20 on the belt 12, the detector 21 being held away from anormally closed microswitch 46, Fig. 2, which energizes the solenoid 40.The energized solenoid pulls the clamp engaging block 38 between theclamp operator lever 36 and the clamp operator plate 37, the clampoperator lever 36 thus releasing two tins 20 (A and B) each revolutionof the cam 34.

Whenever there is a failure of supply of tins 20, the

detector 21 will drop and cause the normally closed microswitch 46, Fig.2, to open, thereby de-energizing the solenoid 40 and permitting thespring 41, Fig. 2, between the clamp lever 26 and the clamp engagingblock 38, to pull the clamp engaging block 38 above the operator lever36. The clamp operator lever 36 operates during each revolution of thecam 34, but since the thickness of the clamp engaging block 38 isslightly greater than the stroke of the clamp operator lever 36, the tinclamp lever 26 continues to clamp tins in timed position until thesupply of tins is again available to hold up the detector. The end ofthe solenoid link 39 may be bent and extended through the block 38 toreceive one end of the spring 41, the other end of the spring beingsecured to a pin; on the clamp lever 26, Fig. 2.

Tins 20, therefore, are always released in time, being controlled by theclamp operator lever 36 which is timed by the cam 34. Should a detectordrop from a tin, and the solenoid 40 be de-energized during the releasepart of the stroke, that part of the surface of the clamp operator lever36 which contacts the clamp engaging block 38, being tapered, the spring41 will not pull the clamp engaging block 38 from between the clampoperator plate 37 and the clamp operator lever 36.

The electrical circuit, Fig. 3, functions so that when. a supply of tinsis available an arm 47 of the detector 21, Fig. 2, is lifted, permittingthe normally closed microswitch 46 to close and energize the relay coilof a pneumatic timer 48 on delay. Time delay takes place during thisaction. This on delay closing of contact points 4-9 in the pneumatictimer 48 is to prevent the feeding out of all tins. Should one tin comealong on the belt at a time to energize the solenoid 40, and two tins 20be allowed to feed into converger conveyer lug 24, there would be onetin less than what was had at the start. Should this latter situationoccur a sumcient number of times, all tins would run out. With the opentype on delay pneumatic timer 48, should one tin come along at a certaintime, the contact points would not be closed immediately, but insteadwould be closed after the proper time delay if the arm 47 of thedetector 21 is held up by succeeding tins. The pneumatic timer relaycontact points 49 close to energize the solenoid 40. When the supply oftins fails, and the detector arm 47 drops to open the normally closedmicroswitch 46, the relay coil of the pneumatic timer 48 isde-energized, and the circuit to the solenoid 40 is broken immediately.

Contact points 50, Fig. 3, in a converger motor starter box (not shown)are to close the circuit of a converger intake tin clamp detector 21 andan escapement for the conveyer only when converger 25 is running. Thisarrangement is to protect the solenoid 40 from burning out if converger25 should stop at a time when the plunger of the solenoid could not seatitself.

The first two .tins 20 (A and B), after being released from the stop 22,are picked up, two deep, by'the spaced lugs 24 of the converger conveyer25, from each of the channels or guideways 14 to 19, inclusive. The lugs24 are fastened to a chain 51, Fig. 6, and are spaced apart a distancesomewhat more than the number of lines or channels being employed. Thechain 51 is trained over spaced sprockets 52 and 53, the right handsprocket 52 being the driving sprocket, and the left hand sprocket 53being the idler sprocket. The lugs 24 push the tins, two deep, from eachlane or channel, and deliver them across a supporting surface 54, thetins being under and guided by top tin guides 45.

The tin supporting surface 54 is provided with a normally closedescapement chute 56, Fig. 6, to deliver tins 20 to a hopper orreceptacle 57, Fig. 7, should a certain condition arise. Normally,however, the lugs 24 transfer w 6 the tins 20 from left to right, Fig.6, in two lines from one or more rows, move them over the chute 56 anddeposit them onto a conveyer 58 which preferably comprises a deliverybelt, Figs. 6 and 7.

The escapement chute 56, Fig. 7, is in the nature of a trap door havinga lever 59 connected thereto. The lever 59 is pivotally connected to alink 60 which is connected to an operator lever 61 pivotally mounted ona shaft 62. A cam lever 63 is mounted on the shaft 62 and carries a camroller 64, which is operated by a cam 65 mounted on a shaft 66. Theshaft 66 is located at right angles to the previously described shaft 35and is operated from the shaft 35 by means of gealing (not shown)connecting the shafts 35 and 66, whereby the two shafts operate inproper timed relation with respect to the converger conveyer 25 and itslugs 24.

The operator lever 61, Fig. 7, carries an operator plate 67, and anescapement engaging block 68 fits between the plate 67 and the operatorlever 61. A solenoid 69 has a link 70 to which is connected theescapement engaging block 63 and pulls the escapement block down in thepath of a projection 71 on the cam lever 63 to operate the chute 56 inthe down position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7. The cam 65 controlsthe time of escapement of the chute 56 relative to a lug 24 of convergerintake transfer conveyer 25. The distance of motion of cam lever 63 isslightly less than the thickness of the escapement engaging block 68,and when the escapement engaging block 68 is in the up position, thechute 56 remains in up position as shown in Fig. 7. A spring 72 betweenthe block 68 and the operator lever 61 holds the block 68 up when acartoner device 73 is running, Figs. 9 to 11. When the cartoner 73stops, the solenoid 69 is energized, and the escapement engaging block68 is pulled down between operator lever plate 69 and cam lever 63.During each revolution of the machine, the escapernent chute 56 islowered just as tins 20 are being transferred onto escapement chute 56and brought back up when a lug of the converger transfer conveyer 25clears the left hand end of the escapement chute. When the cartoner 73is stopped, tins 20 will drop down the escapement chute 56 into thecontainer or hopper 57, Fig. 7.

The cartoner 73 receives cartons 74, Fig. 17, from the stack 75, Fig. l,and positions them into a carton conveyer 76, Figs. 9 and 11. The cartonconveyer comprises a plurality of buckets 77 which are spaced apredetermined distance apart and hingedly connected by means of anendless chain 78, Fig. 11, which is driven by a sprocket 79. Thesprocket 79 is fixed to a shaft 80, which is mounted in suitablebearings 81 and 82 fixed to a part of the machine frame. The shaft 82has a Geneva wheel 83 fixed thereto, which is driven by a Geneva drive84. The Geneva drive is operated from a main drive shaft which extendsfrom front to rear the full length of the machine, and is driven by aprime mover such as an electric motor (not shown). Each bucket 77, onthe bucket conveyer 76, therefore, is driven intermittently in propertimed relation to supply cartons 74 continuously, but intermittently,along the cartoner 73.

The cartoner 73 comprises the spaced buckets 77 which are each adaptedto receive a carton 74 from the carton stack and to have twelve tins 20inserted in each carton. The tins are positioned in each carton in threelayers, there being four tins in each layer. The cartons 74 are fed outof the magazine 75, Fig. 1, and expanded in the usual manner, Fig. 18,when they are deposited into adjacent buckets 77. Each carton 74 hasfour front flaps, Fig. 18, which are spread apart at right angles to thebody. The back sides of the cartons are folded inwardly after the topflap is folded down and the bottom flap is folded down at right anglesto the body, Fig. 18. The cartons 74 are conveyed from left to right inthe Geneva driven bucket chain. The Geneva wheel operates so that thecartons will move in one hundred 7 eighty degrees of main shaft time andrest during the remaining one hundred eighty degrees of main shaft time,at which time the cartons are to be filled by the tins 20.

The main shaft of the cartoner (not shown) is driven by a clutch shaftthrough suitable gearing, and the Geneva wheel 83 is driven by a Genevadriver by means of gearing from the main shaft. (A clutch on the clutchshaft is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 and is given the numeral 85.)The converger conveyer 25 delivers tins 20 onto the intake belt 58 ofthe cartoner. The cartoner 73 is equipped with the electric clutch 85,as disclosed in the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 8. The electriccircuit, Fig. 8, also includes a starting switch 86, a stop switch 87,and a jog button 88 wired to a relay 89, to engage or disengage theelectric clutch 85, starting and stopping the machine. The relay 89 hastwo sets of normally open contacts 90 and 91 and one set of normallyclosed contacts 92. When the start button 86 is pressed, one of the setsof normally open contacts (set 91) keeps the relay coil 89 energized,the second set 90 of normally open contacts closes to complete a ninetyvolt D. C. clutch circuit, and the third set of normally closed contacts92 opens to de-energize the solenoid 69. When the solenoid 69 isde-energized, the spring 72, Fig. 7, between the operator lever 61 andthe escapement engaging block 68 pulls the escapement engaging block 68up out of the way of the cam lever 63 and the escapement chute 56remains up, feeding tins 20 into cartoner 73. When the stop button 87 ispressed, the relay coil 89 is de-energized, breaking the two sets ofnormally open contacts 90 and 91, disengaging electric clutch 85, andclosing the normally closed set of contact points 92 to energize thesolenoid 69. The energizing of the solenoid 69 pulls the escapementengaging block 68 between the operator lever plate 67 and the cam lever,operating the escapement chute 56 to lower tins 20 into the container orhopper 57, Fig. 7.

Tins 20, Fig. 9, are delivered by the converger delivery belt 58, Figs.6 and 10, onto a conveyer 93, Figs. 9 and 10, which comprises twoendless belts in line. The tins are moved from left to right, Fig. 9,for insertion into the cartons 74, in three layers with four tinsconstituting each layer. The side-by-side belts of the conveyer 93 areinclined upwardly from left to right, Fig. 10, and rise to the height ofone tin in the distance from one carton being filled to the nextsucceeding carton being filled. The inclined belts of the conveyer 93run continuously at a speed somewhat more than double the speed for thespace occupied by six tins which are simultaneously being pushed intocartons.

An end tin stop 94, Fig. 9 (to the extreme right), holds back all tinsso that they will be held stationary on the moving belts of the conveyer93, the belts riding under the tins. The tins 20 are also prevented frombuckling in line, or rising upwardly, by means of a top plate or holder95 and may be in two sections as shown in Fig. 9, one section being tothe left and the other to the right. The holder 95 may comprise a pairof spaced longitudinal members 96 and 97 which are arranged above thetins on the two belt conveyer 93. The members 96 and 97 are secured to aplurality of cross members 98 which have their inner ends pivoted to astationary longitudinal rod or bar 99, Fig. 9, being pivotally supportedin suitable bearings 100 on the machine frame. The holder 95 may belatched in its lowered tin holding position.

Sets of clamps are provided to clamp the front ends of front tins andthe rear ends of rear tins, three such sets of clamps 101, 102 and 103being shown, Fig. 9. The first tin clamp 101 comprises a front tin clampmember 104 and a rear tin clamp member 105. The members 104 and 105include spring pressed pins 106 which are forced into clamping positionto hold back the line of incoming tins. I

The clamps 102 and 103 are identical in construction and operation, eachbeing operated on a rod or link 107,

Figs. 9 and 10, which is horizontally shiftable and parallel to the beltconveyer 93. The rod or link 107 is mounted in suitable bearings in theframe and is adapted to be operated by a cam lever 108, Fig. 10, whichis pivotally mounted at 109 to a part of the frame. The forward end ofthe cam lever 108 is provided with an opening through which the rod orlink 107 passes and is locked between a pair of collars 110. The camlever 108 has a roller 111 mounted thereon which is adapted to engagethe periphery of a cam 112. The cam 112 is fixed to a cross shaft 113which is rotated by the main shaft through suitable gearing.

Each clamp 102 and 103, Figs. 9 and 10, is arranged between spacedcollars 114 and 115, there being a spring 116 interposed between thecollars and the ends of the clamps 102 and 103. Each clamp 102 and 103is pivotally mounted on a pin 117, Fig. 9, so that during horizontalshifting of the rod or link 107 the forward tin clamping end 118 of eachclamp is free to oscillate in a horizontal are about the vertical pins117. The forward clamping ends 118 are adapted to engage the forward endof the first row of tins 20. An arm 119, to which the clamping end 118is attached, comprises a vertically extended relatively C-shaped member120, Fig. 10, which is fixed to each horizontal arm 119. A link or rod121 is fixed to the part 120 and extends transversely across theconveyer 93 and comprises a back clamp 122 for engaging the back end ofthe back row of tins. The construction of each of the members 121 and122 is such that when the rod or link 107 moves to the right, Fig. 9,the clamping surfaces 118 will engage the front ends of the transverserows of tins, and the members 122 will engage the rear faces of the rearrow of tins. Also, when the rod 107 moves to the left, the collars 114,Fig. 10, will move the clamping edges 118 and 122 outwardly to releasethe tins. After the tins have reached their proper position, and arebeing held by the clamps 101 to 103, inclusive, a tin filling member 123is operated to insert tins 20 into cartons 74 when the cartons are movedby the conveyer 73 to proper position, whereby the tin filler 123 willinsert two tins from each row into a carton 74 and, inasmuch as the beltis inclined, the first carton (to the left, Fig. 9) will receive fourtins. The second carton will receive four tins on top of the previouslyinserted four tins. The third carton (to the right, Fig. 9) will receivefour tins on top of the latter inserted four tins, whereby there will betwelve tins arranged in a carton, four tins on the bottom, four tins inthe center, and four this on the top, Figs. 9 and 10.

The tin filler 123, Figs. 9 to 11, comprises a first filler member 124,a second filler member 125, and a third filler member 126, Figs. 9 and10. The filler members 124, 125, and 126 each comprise a pair of spacedrods 127, which are carried by a casting 128, Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive.The casting member 128 is mounted on a supporting bracket 129, Figs. 11and 13, there being a filler bar pivoted shaft 130, Fig. 11, passingthrough the supporting bracket 129 and the casting or filler bar carrier128. The supporting bracket 129 is fixed to a slide 131, Figs. 11 and13, which rests on a supporting surface 132 of the machine frame, theslide 131 being mounted in gibs 133, 133, Fig. 13. The casting 128 isprovided with spaced grooves 134 into which the filler rods or plungers127 are received, being held in position by a top cover plate 135, Figs.11 to 13. The slide 131, Figs. 12 and 13, is provided with aprotuberance or boss 136, to which a link 137 is pivotally connected, asindicated at 138, Fig. 12. The link 137 is connected at 139 to a camlever 140, Figs. 12 and 13, which is pivotally connected at 141 to apart of the machine frame. The cam lever carries a cam roller 142 whichengages a face cam 143 mounted on a shaft 144 and is driven by whom themain shaft. 7

The filler rods or plungers 127 are slidably mounted in-the slots 134.in the casting-128 and are held in nor.- mal locked position by the top.plate 135. .The filler rods or bars 127 may have longitudinal slidableadjustment, Fig. 11, but are normally maintained against slidablemovement by means of a ball 145, Fig. 11, engaging a socket 146 formedin the under side of the filler rods or plungers 127. The ball. 14-5 isarranged in a cylindrical opening-in the casting 128, Fig. 11,, and ismaintained in engaged position by means of a spring 14.7. The ball andsocket arrangement is such that should there occur a jam of the tins, ora tin become bent, or there is some other means of obstruction againstthe ends of. the pusher rods 127 during the slidable movement of thecasting 12.3 on the slide 131, the pusher rods 127' will be forced orpushed inwardly to the left, Fig. 11,- against the pressure of the ball145 in the recess 146. Such inward movement of a filler or pusher rod127 will cause it to be pushed inwardly against the frictional. movementof the ball and socket 145, 146 and shift a plate 148, Fig. 11. Theplate 148 is connected to a rod 149 which is mounted on a supportingmember or bracket 150, Fig. 11. The inward movement of. a filler orpusher rod 127, therefore, will engage the plate 148 and swing the rod149, turning the rod on a clockwise direction (upper left, Fig. 11) andcause a lever member 151, fixed to the rod 149, to move downwardly andoperate a microswitch 152. The microswitch 152 will then operate aswitch of the electrical circuit and cause disengagement of the clutch85, Fig. 8, whereupon the operation of the cartoning and filling andclamping structure of the machine will cease, and the escapement door 56will be swung on its pivot by the solenoid 69, preventing additionaltins from being fed to the cartoner 73 as the incoming tins from theconverger conveyer 25 will then fall through the escapement 56 and intothe hopper 57, Fig. 7.

The tin filler 123, Figs. 9 to 11, therefore, consists in the provisionof six bars 127 which are mounted on a hinged carrier or casting 128.They are operated on the slide 131, front to rear, by means of theoperation of the cam 143. Each of the six filler bars 127 pushes twotins, one from each of the two belts of the conveyer 93, and insertsthem into the cartons 74. A filler member 124, 125 or 126, eachcomprising two filler bars 127, pushes tins into a separate carton.Thus, each of the three cartons receives one layer of four tins.simultaneously into a respective carton upon each stroke of a set offiller bars 127. On the return stroke of the filler bars 127, they areoperated upwardly to clear the incoming tins 20 on the belts of theconveyor 93.

Because of the spacing of three adjacent cartons 74 is greater than thespacing of tins on the belts for insertion, it is necessary that twosets of tins 20 remain in place on the belt, while six other sets oftins 20 are being pushed into the carton, Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, whilethe fillers or filling rods 127 are pushing sets of tins F and G, sets Iand I and sets Land M; sets of tins H and K are held in position by theclamps 102 and 103, Figs. 9 and 10.

The three pairs of tin clamps 101, 102 and 103.clamp the tins 20 atfront and back while cartons 74 are being filled with unclamped tins. Asthe filler bars 127 have completed their filling stroke, there is leftsets of tins H and K, as well as sets N and O, and remaining incomingtins on the continuously moving belts of the conveyer 93. Tin clamps 101clamp tins N and O and thus hold back the line of incoming tins. Tinclamps 102 clamp tins K,

and clamps 103 clamp tins H. Clamp 101 opens when the fillers 127 areall the way in, and releases the line of tins 20. When the line of tins20 comes up to tin K, Figs. 9 and 10, the tin clamps 102 will open. Whenthe line of tins 20 gets up to tin H, the tin clamps 103 will open. Thissequence is necessary to assure that all tins 20moving on the doublebelts of the conveyer 93 move as a unit, guiding each other, and thus.preventing a spinning -10 orv turning of anyv individual tin 20. Tinclamps. 101 are operated by one cam, while clamps 102 and 103 areoperated by the cam 112.

The cam112 has steps as shown in Fig. 10. The clamps 102 and 103 areoperated by the spring actuated link or bar 107, so that the clamp 102will open on the first step ofthe cam, and clamp 103 will open on thesecond step of the cam. When tins 20 have fed all the way to the rightagainst the stop 94, Fig. 9, the clamps 101 close and hold back the setsof tins N and O and the remaining tins. The tin stop 94 then operates bymoving about three-sixteenths of a inch to the right, Fig. 9, freeingthose tins which are to be filled from the pressure of the incomingmoving tins. At this point the clamps 102 and 103 will closesimultaneously, and the filler bars 127 will start pushing tins 20 intocartons 74.

Since tins 20 are stopped and started on the moving belt of the conveyer93 because of the action of the stop clamps 101,. 102 and103, it isnecessary that they be guided to prevent telescoping or turning. This isdone by means of the latched plate 95, previously described. 1

The cycles of feeding tins along the belts of the conveyer 93 clampingpredetermined tins for predetermined time intervals and inserting tinsinto the cartons 74 by means of the filler bars 127, are repeatedsuccessively as successive tins are moved to position and successivecartons are in position. After the last layer of four tins has beeninserted into a carton, the filled carton will have its top end flap andside flaps closed, glue applied to the bottom end flap, and thendelivered to a glue drier 153, Fig. 14.

The cartons 74 in the stack 75 are collapsed, Fig. 17,

and then are expanded, Fig. 18, as they are placed in the buckets 77.The cartons 74 have their top covers glue seamed on top, Fig. 17, andthe flaps are pushed outwardly by folding mechanism so that the flaps ofthe cartons will be in the position shown in Fig. 18, to permit easyinsertion of tins 20 into cartons 74. Folding mechanism (not shown)closes the flaps of each carton, and these latter flaps are then gluedin place, as shown in Fig. 19. The closed glued flaps are then deliveredby the successive buckets 77 of the conveyer '73 to the drier 153, Fig.14, first passing between squeeze plates 154, 154 for squeezing theglued end flaps. The cartons are fed between the squeeze plates 154 by asucceeding carton pushing a prior carton in place, as the cartonssuccessively leave the buckets 77. A drier comprises elements 155,arranged on each side of a plate 156, Fig. 14, which move cartons towardthe delivery end. Each drier element 155 includes a vertical driven btlt157 passing over spaced pulleys 158, one of said pulleys being a driverpulley.

A plurality of spaced apart cushion rollers 159, Fig. 14, are arrangedinside the inner reaches of each vertical belt 157 and squeeze againstthe ends of the cartons. The cartons are pressed by the rollers 159 toset the glue on the flaps, and are positively conveyed by the belts 157.The filled closed cartons engage a spring pressed pivotally mounted gate160, Fig. 15, as they leave the drier 153 and drop down a quarter roundchute 161. The gate 160 prevents the cartons from falling down the chute161 too rapidly and assist in guiding the cartons on the chute betweenthe chute side guides. The cartons are then free to fall in sequenceonto a plate arranged above a support 162 for delivery onto a dischargeconveyer 163 which comprises a constantly moving belt.

The completely filled and sealed cartons containing the dozen tiris areindicated by .the. numeral 164, Fig. 15. In cases where the filledsealed carton 164 is properly positioned on the support 162, a toppusher 165 will drop downwardly and push the cartons 164 in line to thedelivery belt 163. In cases, however, where a carton or package is notproperly positioned, as shown in Fig. 15, the top pusher 165 will be inits raised position, as shown, and will not contact the carton 164 atthe position P.

' 11 The mechanism which causes the operation of the pusher 165comprises a lifter lever 166 freely mounted for pivotal movement on ashaft 167, to which the-re is fastened a lifter operator lever 168. Theshaft 167 has connected thereto a cam lever 169, Fig. 16, which camlever carries a roller 170 operating in a camway or groove 171 in a cam172. The cam 172 is connected to the main drive shaft of the machine, asindicated at 173. The lifter lever 166 is connected to a lifter carrierlink 174, Figs. 15 and 16, which is pivotally connected at 175 to afollower lever 176 pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 177. Therefore,during rotation of the cam 172 the lifter operator 168 will cause thelifter lever 166 to be raised upwardly. A slotted bar 178, in the formof a channel member, is connected to the carrier link 174, and,therefore, during normal operation of the operator lever 168 the channelshaped lifter 178 will be caused to reciprocate up and down. A pusheroperator lever 179 carries a roller 180 which rides in the groove orslot of the lifter 178 and, inasmuch as the pusher lifter lever 179 isfixed to a pin or shaft 180, the pin or shaft 180 will oscillate in avertical arc during every reciprocation of the lifter carrier link 174.Thus, on the up stroke of the lifter carrier link 174 the pusher lever179 will be caused to raise upwardly, and, inasmuch as the top pusher165 is fixed to the oscillating pin or shaft 180, the top pusher member165 will be raised and lowered, lowering of the lifter link 174 loweringthe lifter and causing the top pusher 165 to be lowered. When the lifter178 is in its raised position, then the top pusher 165 will be raised.The pusher lifter lever 179 is mounted on a slide 181 which slides upona rigid plate 182, Figs. 15 and 16. The slide 181 has a link 1833, Fig.16, connected thereto, which is pivotally connected to a crank arm 184of a crank 185 pivotally mounted on the shaft 177. The other arm 186 ofthe crank 185 is pivotally connected to a link 187 which is pivotallyconnected to a crank 188, the crank 188 being driven from the main shaft173, Fig. 16. The slide 181 is therefore given horizontal reciproeatingmovement through the link 187, bell crank 185 and link 183, and thevertical movement of the top pusher plate, which is connected to theslide 181, is given vertical reciprocating movement by the verticalreciprocation of the carrier link 174.

In cases where there is no carton 164 in proper position, as indicatedat P, Fig. 15, or if there is no carton in position on the support 162,there will be no contact of a carton with a detector 189, but in suchcases where the cartons 164 move downwardly out of the chute 161 inproper position on the support 162, the oncoming carton 164 will engagethe detector 189 and cause the detector 189 to swing forwardly. Thelower end of the detector 189 is fixed to a pin 190, which carries alever 191. The lever 191 is adapted to engage a microswitch 192 andcause a normally de-energized solenoid 193 to become energized.Energization of the solenoid 193 will lift a solenoid link 194 upwardlyagainst the tension of a spring 195. The solenoid link 194 is connectedto a stop lever 196, which is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft or pin197. A stop lever 198 is rigidly connected to the member 196 andtherefore when the link 194 is raised upwardly by the solenoid 193, theupper end of the lever 198 will swing on its axis 197 (to the right,Fig. 15) and move the lever 198 out of the line of engagement of alifter block 199, which is fixed to the lifter lever 166. In normaloperation, therefore, the packages 164 will engage the detector 189 andcause operation of the microswitch 192 to energize the solenoid 193.When the solenoid 193 is energized, the lever 198 will be away from thelifter block 199, at which time the lifter 178 will be given continuousreciprocal up and down movement, causing the top pusher 165 to be firstin a down position to engage a carton 164 and push it to the right, Fig.15. As the lifter lever 179 moves upwardly, which will be when the slide181 has reached its innermost travel, the lifter 178 will again be inits up position and cause the top pusher member to be moved to itsupward position. Therefore, during its return stroke, the pusher 165will be raised to clear the next oncoming carton. It will then drop sothat it will engage the left hand edge, Fig. 15, of a next carton andagain cause the latter to be pushed along the support 162. After the toppusher 165 has pushed a carton 164 to the position shown at Q in Fig.15, the glued seam at the top of the carton will be slit by a glued seamslitter 200, Fig. 15. The glued seam slitter 200 is preferably made inthe shape shown in Fig. 15, and is flexibly mounted on a base 201, theslitter itself being fastened to the base 201 by means of engagingspring 202 mounted on pins 203. The base 201 is fixed to a slitter lever204, which is pivotally mounted at 205 to a stud or pin. 1

A link 206, Fig. 15, has its upper end connected to the glue seamslitter lever 204 and its lower end pivoted, at 207, to a lever 208,Fig. 15. The lever 208 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 167 and isdriven by a cam lever (not shown) from a cam on the shaft 173, Fig. 16,located behind the cam 172. The slitter 200, therefore, operates intimed relation with respect to the oncoming filled cartons 164.

The base or support 162 is lowered or drops slightly so that after acarton 164 is received in proper position there will be no interferenceat all'with the pusher 165 during the return movement of the pusher. Thesupport 162 also is inclined or lowered at one side so that a package orcarton 164 will be tilted in the manner in which package 164 at positionQ is shown, Fig. 15. Therefore, the slitter 200 will feel its way alongthe seam 209, Fig. 19, to allow the glued seam along the edge of the topflap to be severed easily.

Of course when no packages 164 are in proper position on the support, itis desirable that the slitter 200 does not continue to operate on thesame package. Therefore, a bottom pusher 210, Figs. 15 and 16, isprovided, the pusher 210 being positioned beneath the top pusher 165.This bottom pusher 210 extends a predetermined distance beyond the edgeof the slitter 200 so that even if there are no packages coming down thechute 161, the bottom pusher 210 will push the carton and not againbecome engaged by the slitter.

Filled cartons 164 which lie on side, with glue seam on top, pass fromthe drier 153 and drop down the quarter round chute 161, Fig. 15,engaging detector 189, stopping against a left hand side guide. Thecarton 164, Fig. 15, pushes the detector 189 to the left, and rotatesthe microswitch operator lever 191 down, closing the normally opencontacts in the microswitch 192 and energizing the solenoid 193. Theenergized solenoid 193 pulls up, rocking the lifter stop lever 198 outof the way of the .lifter lever block 199 on the lifter lever 166,permitting the lifter mechanism 178 to go down. The pusher lifter lever179 follows the lifter 178 down, lowers the top pusher 165 to the pathof a carton, and a carton 164 is pushed to the right, in line with theslitter 200. The pusher 165 is lifted on the return stroke so as to notinterfere with the oncoming cartons. In pushing a carton 164 fromposition P to position Q, Fig. 15, the carton drops forward of thebottom pusher 210 and comes to rest at a slight angle for insertion ofthe slitter 200. The glue seam slitter 200 is carried on two spring pins203 of a rocking lever 204, permitting the slitter 200 to yield fromleft to right, being backed up against a corner of a finish cut. Theslitter 200 goes down and up while pusher 165 goes back. The bottompusher 210 pushes a carton out of the way of the slitter 200. A cartonin dislodged position P is not used to push a previous carton Q becausethe slitter 200 should not go into a carton more than once. The bottompusher 210, therefore, pushes cartons away from the slitter forsubsequent movement onto the inclined delivery belt 163. The deliverybelt 163 is inclined upwardly, Fig. 15, to deliver a carton 164 at theproper height for delivery to a following machine.

Should a carton out of drier 153 fail to feed, or be fed out of time, ornot slide down the quarter round chute 161 far enough to actuate thedetector 189, the normally open contact points on the microswitch 192will remain open, the solenoid 193 will be de-energized, and the spring195 will hold the lifter stop lever 198 in line with lifter block 199.The lifter mechanism will remain in the up position, holding the pusherlifter lever 179 and pusher 165 above the top of a carton 164, thuspreventing the pusher 165 from jamming and spoiling a carton 164.

The conveyer 93, which comprises two endless belts in line, may beprovided with strips 211 and 212, Figs. 9-

and 11, so as to maintain the tins 20 square and in proper alinement andto prevent the tins in line from shifting. The strip 211 is arrangedbetween the two belts of the conveyer 93 while the strip 212 is arrangedat the back of the back tin. These strips 211 and 212 are depressedduring the inserting movement of fillers 127 so that there will be nointerference of movement of the tins being pushed by the fillers intothe cartons. The strips 211 and 212 remains in depressed condition untilthe pusher ends of the filler rods 127 are at or beyond the back of theback tin and then raise again to permit guiding and squaring of othertins in the rows. The rods 127 create no interference during theirreturn stroke as the rods 127 are raised upon return as previouslymentioned.

The strips 211 and 212 are operated by the links 213 and 214,respectively, which in turn operate synchronously with the operation ofthe filler rods.

The machine of the invention provides new and novel means for clampingoncoming tins for a predetermined interval of time, and causes tins tobe fed to the cartoner to be packaged into a carton by the fillerpushers. In the event of failure of a supply of tins being fed to theconverger conveyer, the rows of tins will be held up. In the event offailure of the mechanism, caused by jamming of tins en route topackaging position, the cartoner will stop, at which time the escapementdoor will open, and thereby prevent the piling up of tins.

The invention also includes the addition of a detector located beyondthe converger conveyer so that in the event there are no tins being fedto the cartoner, the cartoner will stop; this latter detector, however,does not control the operation of the escapement chute or door.

The structure of the invention is positive and eflicient in operation,permits several rows of tins to be positioned in several layers within acarton, and insures that the carton is properly sealed, and a priorglued flap cut, without in any way damaging the carton, as well aspermitting free and easy flow of cartons through the cartoner by adelivery belt.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and

the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fall fairlywithin the scope of the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A machine comprising a support, a conveyer delivering a preselectednumber of articles from several rows on said support, the articles ofeach row arranged in contacting relation, a converger conveyer conveyingthe preselected number of articles from each row and shifting themangularly along said support, a cartoner receiving articles from thesupport, means to operate the cartoner, a trap door adjacent saidsupport, and means to open said door by said last named means when saidlast named means is stopped.

2. A machine comprising a support, means for feeding articles in rowscontinuously over the support, an escapement chute including a trap dooradjacent the delivery end of the support, a cartoner, means for feedingsaid rows of articles to the cartoner, a solenoid to operate the chute,means to operate the cartoner, and

'14 means controlled by said last named means to operate the solenoidfor opening the chute, whereby the rows of moving articles will fallthrough said chute.

3. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, and means controlled by said second named means to operatesaid solenoid to open said door.

4. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, means controlled by said second named means to operate saidsolenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number ofarticles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means,and means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles intosaid cartons.

5. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, means controlled by said second named means to operate saidsolenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number ofarticles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means,means to insert a predetermined .number of unclamped articles into saidcartons, and means to insert a plurality of articles in rows in saidcarton and on top of each other.

6. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, means controlled by said second named means to operate saidsolenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number ofarticles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means,means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into'saidcartons, and means to' insert a predetermined number of articles in apredetermined number of rows in said carton to form a layer of articlesin said carton.

7. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, means controlled by said second named means to operatesaid'solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined numberof articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clampmeans, means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles intosaid cartons, means to insert a predetermined number of articles in apredetermined number of rows in said carton to form a layerof articlesin said carton, and means to insert a predetermined number of articlesin a predetermined number of rows in said carton on top of said previouslayer to form another layer.

8. A machine comprising means for feeding row-s of articles along apredetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means tooperate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first namedmeans and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closedposition, means controlled by said second named means to operate saidsolenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number ofarticles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent saidclamp means,means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into saidcartons, and means to insert a plurality

